Sally at LSFF

IN their new film, SALLY, filmmaking duo Simon Treweek and Nicholas Damen bring us a journey through a myriad of countries and a whole spectrum of surfing experiences, all captured through the stunning cinematography that has become their trademark.

This is the second offering from the Aussie twosome, following their first movie Lucid. The foundations of the film are clearly laid in the frigid waters of their native Tasmania, where reeling boulder points and macking Shippies show just what this region has to offer the hardy soul - but then the film takes to the road and unveils the gems that await us when we who choose to 'Venture Forth.'

Can you tell us little bit about where you are from and how you got into surfing?

Simon: I grew up on the coast and was always around the ocean. I started getting into surfing while at high school and have been hooked since.

Nick: I'm originally from Tasmania, but I've been living in Newcastle NSW for the last 4 years. Mum bought me my first board when I was 12, a Nick Stranger thruster, had stickers all over it and 3 fins - 3 fins we're cool then!

How did you get started in filmmaking and why? Was it something you studied or were you self taught?

ST: I've had an interest in filmmaking for a long while. When I was at high school the librarian saw my interest and allowed me to borrow the school camera on weekends. I'd mostly just film my friends skateboarding and surfing. Soon after I got my own second hand high 8 camera and I just took it with me to the beach and I'd get a few clips when I was done surfing. Over time I've started to surf less and film more, but now Sally is done I'm looking forward to more time in the ocean. Film school is something I'm considering for the future, but so far I have had no formal training. If I don't know how to do something I just Google it...

... ND: I've always been interested in film, I bought my first video camera when I was 16 and I've had one ever since. I planned to go to film school around 5 years ago. I looked into a few courses and realized it's expensive so I thought I'd buy a good camera and see what happened.

Why the title?

ST: This is probably the most asked question about the film and I guess that's one of the reasons we chose it... It makes you wonder. We also found it had the meaning "a venturing forth" which can be applied to the travel focus in the film... into the unknown.

When you started the film, did you have a plan and focus in mind, or did it simply unfold as you progressed? Did you know the surfers that you wanted to work with or did the crew evolve over time?

ST: Well, I guess when we made Lucid, we both filmed anyone we could, surfing any sort of wave in any conditions. While this strategy got us heaps of variety, it also left the film perhaps a little disjointed in places... So this time we both had a few surfers in mind and a few select locations that we only wanted to film when the waves were good. I feel this has worked as it's all session based and flows smoothly.

ND: Newcastle has a great bunch of local guys who surf really well and they are also really nice people. This is important if your going to sit on the beach all day or follow some one filming, you want them to respect you also. It also helps to represent them more honestly cause you actually know them.

ST: It's been great. I think one of our best strengths as a team, is being able to give each other lots of good constructive feedback.

ND: Working with Simon is great, we look at things very differently but somewhere in the middle is what we create together. We give super honest feedback about each others work - at times it's hard to swallow, but I feel the end result always ends up stronger.

What's the hardest thing about being a surfer from Tasmania?

ST: I guess the things that make it hard also make it the most rewarding, just stuff like the cold and remoteness of some breaks.

When shooting at Shipsterns, was there ever a session when you thought 'I can't believe they're surfing this!'

ST: Yeah for sure. I have a scar on the inside of my lip from a miss-hap down there. Every time I go there now my tongue seems to find the scar and I'm reminded of the power of the place.

Marty Paradisis, Tyler Hollmer-Cross and Mikey Brennan have all been going crazy at the joint for years so these days I mostly expect them to want the bombs. In making this project it has been great seeing the progress that James McKean and Rudi Schwartz have made. Keep an eye on these guys in the future for sure.